Wall and/or floor tile and method and apparatus for its production

ABSTRACT

A wall and/or floor tile ( 10 ) comprises a container element ( 1 ) and a filling material ( 2 ) disposed inside the container element and constituted by a polymeric material having a Shore hardness of between 55 and 85, preferably 75, and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of between 5 and 15 minutes, preferably 10 minutes. The filling material ( 2 ) is produced from a multi-component material, preferably a two-component material. An apparatus ( 20 ) for the production of a wall and/or floor tile ( 10 ) comprises at least one supply head ( 22 ) provided with injector means ( 24 ) having separate supply circuits ( 26, 28 ) for each of the multiple components. The filling material ( 2 ) is supplied into the container element ( 1 ) in controlled manner by a single nozzle ( 30 ) for mixing the multiple components, in order to form the wall and/or floor tile ( 10 ).

The present invention relates to a tile suitable for covering wallsand/or floors, comprising a container element and a filling materialdisposed inside the container element.

In particular, the present invention relates to a tile comprising avisible container element and a filling material disposed inside thecontainer element.

The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus forproducing the tile.

In particular, the present invention relates to an injection method andto apparatus comprising an injection system for producing the tile.

The filling material suitable for filling the tile of the presentinvention should, however, possess all of the following characteristicssimultaneously:

a) it should be easily injectable, that is, it should have a settingtime such as to remain in the fluid state throughout the injectionperiod and to set only once the tile is completely filled, so as toavoid blockage of the injection system due to premature setting of thematerial inside it,

b) it should have a high degree of hardness, once formed inside thecontainer element of the tile, thus enabling the tile to withstandstresses due to external loads such as, for example, those imparted bywalking, for floor tiles,

c) it should be produced from easily-injectable components which canreact with one another quickly once they are put in contact with oneanother, and which can form the filling material having thecharacteristics of points a) and b),

d) it should be non-toxic to avoid environmental problems,

e) it should have optimal adhesiveness in relation to the containerelement of the tile, that is, it should be capable of remaining firmlyfixed to the container element without the aid of glue and withoutbending of the walls of the container element to prevent the fillingmaterial coming out,

f) it should be light to permit easy transportation, and

g) it should be inexpensive.

The problem underlying the present invention is therefore that ofproviding a filling material which simultaneously possesses all of thechemical-physical characteristics described above.

This problem is solved by a wall and/or floor tile comprising acontainer element and a filling material disposed inside the containerelement, characterized in that the filling material is a polymericmaterial having a Shore D hardness greater than 50 and a setting time,at ambient temperature, of more than 3 minutes.

Preferably, the filling material has a Shore D hardness of between 55and 85 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of between 5 and 15minutes, even more preferably, the filling material has a Shore Dhardness of 75 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of 10minutes. The setting time is calculated for a quantity of 1 g ofmaterial poured. The amount of material in fact affects the settingtime; in general a larger quantity of material corresponds to a shortersetting time.

A preferred example of the polymeric filling material is that which isproduced by the reaction of several components, hereinafter referred toas multi-component material.

Even more preferably, the polymeric filling material is that which isproduced by reaction of two components, hereinafter referred to astwo-component material.

Preferred examples of these two-component materials are polyurethane orpolyurea.

Advantageously, the polyurethane is that which is produced by reactionof a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 80 and 500 mgKOH/gand a viscosity of between 200 and 200,000 cps, with an isocyanatehaving an NCO content of between 5 and 31%.

Even more advantageously, the polyurethane is that which is produced byreaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 100 and 400mgKOH/g, more preferably between 120 and 250 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity ofbetween 2,000 and 10,000 cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO contentof between 10 and 25%.

As a general guide, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that thenumber of OH groups in the polyol and the NCO content of the isocyanatewill be regulated in a manner such that the two components reactstoichiometrically.

Preferred examples of the polyols suitable for the present invention arepolyols of the polyester and polyether types. Even more preferably, thepolyols are polyether polyols.

Examples of these polyether polyols are those sold by The Dow ChemicalCompany under the name Voramer® MB 3102 (chemical type: polyether polyolinitiated with glycerol), Voranol® CP 450 (chemical type: glycerolpropoxylate polyether triol with an average molecular weight of 450) andSpecfil® FC 252 (chemical type: dispersion of styrene-acrylonitrile inpolyether polyol).

Preferred examples of isocyanates suitable for the present invention arearomatic isocyanates based on diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (MDI)and toluene-2,4 (2,6) diisocyanate (TDI), and aliphatic isocyanates suchas, for example, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI).

Examples of these isocyanates are those sold by The Dow ChemicalCompany, under the name Voramer® MB 3503 (chemical type:diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (4,4′ MDI)).

If the filling material of the present invention is a two-componentpolyurea material, it will be obtained by reaction of an amine having anumber of OH groups of between 500 and 1000 mgKOH/g with an isocyanatehaving an NCO content of between 5 and 15%.

Even more advantageously, the polyurea is that produced by reaction of aamine having a number of NH₂ groups of between 600 and 800 mgKOH/g withan isocyanate having an NCO content of between 7 and 10%.

As a general guide, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that thenumber of OH groups in the amine and the NCO content of the isocyanatewill be adjusted in a maimer such that the two components reactstoichiometrically.

Preferred examples of isocyanates suitable for preparing the polyureaare those described above for the preparation of polyurethane.

Preferred examples of amines suitable for preparing the polyurea areprimary amines such as, for example DETA (diaminodiethyl toluene) andMOCA.

The above-mentioned polyols, isocyanates and amines may be used as suchor may include additives such as, for example, pigments, flameretardants, inert fillers, catalysts and dehydration agents.

A preferred example of a pigment suitable for use in the fillingmaterial of the present invention is that having the international C.I.classification RED 48/4.

Examples of these pigments are those sold under the name of PlastotintLB Rosso 312 by Icap Sira Chemicals and Polymers S.p.A and under thename Rosso Repi Fiat 47549.

Preferred examples of flame retardants suitable for use in the fillingmaterial of the present invention are those selected from silicones,phosphorus derivatives, such as esters and ethers of haloalkylphosphates/phosphonates, phosphate and phosphonate derivatives such astriethyl phosphate, diethyl ethyl phosphonate, trismono-chloro-phosphate, melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5 triazine),aluminium hydroxides, halogen derivatives such as, for example, aromatichalogenated polyalcohols, cyclic halogenated hydrocarbons, halogenatedaryl esters, and halogenated diols.

An example of a silicone-type flame retardant which may be used in thefilling material of the present invention is that sold under the name ofAntifoam 1500 by Dow Corning.

An example of a triethyl phosphate flame-retardant which may be used inthe filling material of the present invention is that sold under thename of Eastman by Eastman Chemical BV.

An example of a catalyst which may be used in the filling material ofthe present invention is an amine such as that sold under the nameDABCO® 33-LV (chemical type: tertiary amine) from Air Product ChemicalEurope B.V., or diethanolamine.

Examples of inert fillers which may be used in the filling material ofthe present invention are compounds such as sulphates, carbonates,silicates, quartz powder and glass microspheres. Even more preferably,the inert filler is barium sulphate.

An example of a dehydrating agent which may be used in the fillingmaterial of the present invention is a 50% dispersion of zeolite incastor oil such as that sold under the name of Voratron® EG 711 by TheDow Chemical Company.

The filling material of the present invention is preferably deposited inthe container element by a system for injecting the components into thecontainer element.

In detail, the injection method of the present invention comprises thesteps of:

a) introducing separately into an injector the components which are toform the filling material,

b) reacting the components of step a) only in the region of a mixerconnected to the injector,

c) completely filling the container element with the mixture obtained instep b), and

d) causing the filling material to set in situ inside the containerelement.

The mixer of step b) is preferably a static mixing nozzle formed by atube provided with internal obstacles for facilitating the contact ofthe components with one another.

The setting step d) is advantageously accelerated by conventionalheating in an oven. Even more advantageously, the heating in an oventakes place at a temperature of between 100 and 150° C.

The tiles thus produced can be transported by the deposition of aglass-fibre fabric on the filling material.

The above-mentioned method is implemented by apparatus of the presentinvention comprising at least one supply head suitable for depositing,in the container element of the tile, the multi-component polymericfilling material, which is capable of setting after a predeterminedperiod of time, upon mixing of the multiple components, at ambienttemperature, the supply head comprising injector means provided withseparate supply circuits for each of the multiple components, and theseparate supply circuits converging in a single nozzle for mixing themultiple components, from which nozzle the filling material is suppliedinto the container element, in controlled manner, to form the walland/or floor tile.

Further characteristics and advantages of the wall and/or floor tile, ofthe apparatus, and of the method used for filling the tile according tothe present invention will become clearer from the description of somepreferred embodiments, given below, by way of non-limiting example withreference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axonometric view of the tile of the present invention, inwhich the filling material is visible,

FIG. 2 is an inverted and partially cut-away axonometric view of thetile of FIG. 1, in which the container element is visible,

FIG. 3 is an overall schematic view showing the separate supply circuitsof the apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the supply head of the apparatus ofthe present invention, in section,

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a detail of the supply head of FIG. 4in a section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mixing nozzle and of its protectivetube, which are associated with the injection chamber of FIG. 4,

FIG. 7 is a view of the output side of the apparatus of the presentinvention,

FIG. 8 is a view of the input side of the apparatus of the presentinvention,

FIG. 9 is a view of the particular pump-unit and reservoir assembly ofthe apparatus of the present invention,

FIG. 10 is a view of a detail of FIG. 8, taken on the arrow X of FIG. 8,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a detail of the apparatus of thepresent invention from above, and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing, in section, a further embodiment ofthe supply head of the apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a wall and/or floor tile 10 according to thepresent invention comprises a container element 1 and a filling material2 disposed inside the container element 1.

The container element 1 may have various shapes and sizes, for example,it is square with dimensions of 2×2 cm.

The container element 1 may also be made of various materials; it ispreferably made of metal, even more preferably of stainless steel.

The container element 1 has an outer, visible surface la and an innersurface 1 b which is to come into contact with the filling material 2.

The outer, visible surface 1 a may be a smooth surface or may be treatedby a printing process or an engraving process.

The inner surface 1 b may remain smooth or may be treated to improveadhesion to the filling material 2.

Typical examples of these treatments are butter-finishing, for example,80-grain butter-finishing, and pickling with solvents such as, forexample, trichloroethylene or nitro solvents.

The container element 1 is preferably produced by conventional pressingtechniques.

As shown in a preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the containerelement 1 has chamfered corners 1 c and a filling material 2 which iscapable of completely filling the container element to form a flatsurface 2 a therewith.

The tiles 10 of the present invention can easily be transported anddeposited on the surface to be covered, by virtue of the deposition of afabric, for example, a glass-fibre fabric, on the flat surfaces 2 a ofthe filling materials 2 of a plurality of tiles 10 disposed adjacent oneanother.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned operations of transportation anddeposition on the surface to be covered may easily be performed if aplurality of tiles 10 of the present invention are held together by alayer of the filling material 2.

The advantages of the wall and/or floor tile of the present inventionare clear from the foregoing description.

One advantage is that the wall and/or floor tile of the presentinvention comprises a filling material having a Shore D hardness of atleast 50. This enables the tile to withstand external loads withoutdeformation of the container element, thus enabling the aesthetic shapeof the latter to be maintained.

A further advantage is that the wall and/or floor tile of the presentinvention comprises a filling material having a setting time of morethan 3 minutes, at ambient temperature. This allows the filling materialto be in the fluid state throughout the time necessary to fill thecontainer element completely and to be in the solid state only once itis in situ, that is, inside the container element. Moreover, thisenables the container element to be filled by an injection systemwithout the injection system being blocked because of premature settingof the material inside it.

A third advantage is that the wall and/or floor tile of the presentinvention comprises a filling material formed by easily injectablecomponents which can react with one another rapidly (from about 3 to 10seconds) once they are put in contact. Moreover, both the components andthe filling material produced therefrom are non-toxic to the environmentand do not require solvents for their reactivity.

An advantage is that the tile of the present invention is formed by afilling material which can adhere firmly to the container elementwithout the need to interpose a layer of gluing material.

A further advantage is that the tile of the present invention is lightand is made with inexpensive filling material.

An advantage is that the tile of the present invention is easy toproduce.

Clearly, only a few embodiments of the wall and/or floor tile, of themethod, and of the apparatus of the invention have been described and aperson skilled in the art will be able to apply thereto all of themodifications necessary to adapt them to particular applicationswithout, however, departing from the scope of protection of the presentinvention.

The following example serves to illustrate the present inventionwithout, however, limiting it in any way.

Example 1

Preparation of Filling Material

Component A: 60 p/w of diphenylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate sold by The DowChemical Company under the name of Voramer® Me 3053, having an NCOcontent of 21%, a viscosity at 25° C. of less than 500 cSt, measured bythe Cannon Fenske method, and a specific weight at 25° C. of 1.19 g/ml.

Component B: 100 p/w of polyol of the glycerol propoxylate polyethertriol type sold by The Dow Chemical Company under the name of Voramer®Me 3102, having a number of hydroxyl groups of 169 mgKOH/g, and aviscosity at 25° C. of 3000 cps.

After being stirred, component A and component B were loaded into aninjector of known type by a volumetric pump and were kept separated asfar as the inlet to a mixing nozzle of a static mixer, formed by atubular plastics body provided with internal obstacles for facilitatingmixing of the components.

The mixing together of components A and B was thus S performed atambient temperature and only in the region of the mixing nozzle, for aperiod of time equal to the time necessary to pass through the entiretubular body of the mixer and to reach the tile to be filled (3 to 10seconds).

The mixture obtained was set after 3 minutes by heating to 120° C. in aconventional oven.

The polyurethane thus obtained showed the following characteristics:

Shore D hardness: 75-80 (measured by the ASTM D 2240 method), and

Density: 1.4 g/l (measured by the DIN 53420 method).

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 12, apparatus 20 for producing the wall and/orfloor tile of the present invention comprises at least one supply head22 suitable for depositing, in a container element 1 of a tile 10, amulti-component polymeric filling material 2 which is capable of settingafter a predetermined period of time, at ambient temperature, upon themixing of the multiple components. The supply head comprises injectormeans 24 provided with separate supply circuits 26 and 28 for each ofthe multiple components. The separate supply circuits 26 and 28 convergein a single nozzle 30 for mixing the multiple components, from which thefilling material is supplied into the container element 1, in controlledmanner, to form the wall and/or floor tile 10.

The apparatus 20 is suitable for supplying filling material into acontainer element 1 by means of a mixing nozzle 30 housed in aprotective tube 32 comprising, at one end 32 a, an opening whichcooperates with a supply opening 30 a of the nozzle and, at the oppositeend, a ring nut 32 b for fixing to a body 24 a of the injector means 24.

The mixing nozzle 30 comprises a tubular body provided, at one end, witha supply opening 30 a and, at an opposite end, with a receptacle 30 bfor collecting the multiple components emerging from the injector means24 and conveying them into a mixing chamber 34.

The mixing chamber 34 comprises obstacles 36, shown schematically inFIGS. 4 and 6, for facilitating contact and mixing of the multiplecomponents forming the filling material.

According to one possible embodiment, the apparatus provides for theseparate supply circuits 26 and 28 of the injector means 24 to be closedby valve means 38 which bring about controlled opening and/or closure ofthe circuit.

According to one possible embodiment, the valve means 38 compriseclosure members 40 which are constantly urged into abutment againstvalve seats 42 to close flow apertures 44 for the multiple components ofthe circuits. The closure members 40 can be opened pneumatically incontrolled manner by pneumatic means 45.

According to one possible embodiment, the injector means 24 comprise aninjection chamber 46, suitable for connection to the single mixingnozzle 30, and the separate supply circuits 26 and 28 converge in thechamber. Preferably, at least one partition 48 is provided in theinjection chamber 46, and is disposed between outlets of the separatesupply circuits 26 and 28, in a manner such that each component of thefilling material comes into contact with another component only afterreaching the nozzle 30.

According to a further possible embodiment of the apparatus, anti-dripmeans 50 are provided and comprise separate means for withdrawing, fromthe injection chamber, a predetermined quantity of each component whichis not yet mixed, to prevent drips falling from the free opening of thenozzle.

Each of the anti-drip means 50 preferably comprises a diaphragm 52 whichcooperates, in a leaktight manner, by means of a through-hole 54, withthe injection chamber 46 and, on the opposite side, with a suction duct56 suitable for creating a partial vacuum which, by deforming thediaphragm 52, draws the predetermined quantity of component which is notyet mixed, from the injection chamber 46.

In an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, a plurality of supplyheads 22 is provided (FIG. 3). The plurality of supply heads 22 ispreferably connected to supply manifolds 58 and 60 suitable for causingeach of the components for forming the filling material to flowseparately to each head 22.

According to a further embodiment, two pluralities of supply heads 22are provided (FIG. 3) and are arranged parallel to one another and apredetermined distance apart suitable for the deposition of fillingmaterial in two rows of container elements 1.

According to a further possible embodiment, the at least one supply head22 is operatively connected to a plurality of separate supply ducts foreach of the components for forming the filling material.

Moreover, each of the ducts may be heated, and each of the ducts may beheated to a temperature of between 20° C. and 40° C., preferably 30° C.

According to one possible embodiment, each of the separate supplycircuits 26 and 28 is operatively connected to a pump 62 which iscontrolled in a manner such as to supply the component which is to formthe filling material to each component-supply head at a predeterminedpressure.

Preferably, each separate supply circuit is supplied at a predeterminedpressure which is independent of the others. For example, the supplycircuit is supplied at a pressure of between 20 and 70 atmospheres,preferably between 30 and 50 atmospheres.

According to one possible embodiment, one component is supplied at 30atmospheres and a second component is supplied at 50 atmospheres.

Moreover, the separate supply circuits 26 and 28 may advantageously bearranged to be supplied at respective pressures such that, if thevarious components are supplied for the same period of time, when mixed,they form the filling material which has a shore D hardness greater than50, and which sets, at ambient temperature, within a time longer than 3minutes.

According to one possible embodiment, a reservoir 64 suitable forholding each of the components of the filling material is operativelyconnected to each pump 62. A stirring device 66 may advantageously beassociated with each reservoir.

Moreover, the reservoir may be heated, for example, to a temperature ofbetween 20° C. and 40° C. and preferably to 30° C.

According to one possible embodiment, a further store 68 for each of thecomponents suitable for forming the filling material may be provided,operatively connected to each of the separate supply circuits 26 and 28.

Advantageously, the at least one supply head 22 is associated with amovement carriage 70 (FIG. 8) for bringing about controlled movementthereof. The carriage 70 is, for example, moved in controlled mannerlongitudinally relative to a conveyor line 72 of the container elements1 which are arranged in a manner suitable for receiving the fillingmaterial 2 when it emerges form the nozzle 30. Moreover, the carriageis, for example, moved in controlled manner transversely relative to aconveyor line 72 of the container elements 1.

According to one possible embodiment, the carriage 70 is associated withsliding guides 74, preferably ball or roller guides.

Moreover, the carriage 70 may be operatively connected to actuatorswhich are operated in controlled manner, preferably with position and/orvelocity feedback.

According to one possible embodiment of the apparatus in question, eachsupply head 22 is operatively connected to a control unit 76 forbringing about controlled opening of the valve means 38. For example,the valve means 38 are opened for a period of time of between 0.3 and150 msec.

Moreover, in one possible embodiment, in addition to working operationsbrought about in controlled manner, the carriage 70 adopts at least onerest position (FIG. 8). An operative connection with a device foractivating the discharge of material at predetermined time intervals maybe provided in the rest position of the carriage so as to preventsetting of the material which is present in the mixing nozzle 30.

In a further embodiment of the apparatus, the carriage 70 has associatedsensor means 78 for identifying the position of the carriage relative toa grating 80 for supporting and transporting at least one containerelement 1, the grating being disposed on a conveyor line 72 in a mannersuch that the nozzle is positioned so as to deposit the filling material2 in the at least one container element 1.

Advantageously, a conveyor line 72 for at least one container element 1,which passes through an oven 82 suitable for accelerating the setting ofthe filling material, in series with positions for cooperation with theat least one supply head 22, may be provided.

More advantageously, a conveyor line 72 for at least one containerelement 1, which passes through positions in which the at least onecontainer element 1 containing the filling material 2 cooperates with adevice 84 suitable for depositing binding and reinforcing fabric on therear of each tile 10, may be provided.

Optionally, a conveyor line 72 for at least one container element 1,which passes through positions in which it cooperates with a second ovenfor setting the filling material 2, is provided.

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of the supply head 22 in whichelements already described with reference to the embodiment of FIG. 4are indicated by the same reference numerals. In particular, theseparate supply circuits 26 and 28 of the injector means 24 are arrangedto be closed by the valve means 38 which bring about controlled openingand/or closure of the circuit.

According to the possible embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the valve means38 comprise closure members 40 formed by pistons which have diametersthat vary along their longitudinal axes.

In fact, an end 40 a of each piston has a larger diameter than anintermediate portion 40 b of each piston. The end 40 a constitutes theactual closure member which is intended to abut the respective valveseat 42 to close the flow apertures 44 for the multiple components ofthe circuits.

The valve seat 42 comprises sealing rings 88 with inside diameters suchas to permit leaktight sliding of the larger-diameter end 40 a and toleave an outlet aperture relative to the smaller-diameter intermediateportion 40 b.

The injection chambers 46 are separated from one another as in FIG. 4and the two components are combined only at the end of the partition 48,as they emerge into the mixing chamber 34.

The valve means 38 are operated pneumatically, in controlled manner,both during opening and during closure, by pneumatic means 45. Accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 12, the pneumatic means 45 comprise a piston90 fitted slidingly in a shell 92 provided with a first air-duct 94 anda second air-duct 96, which are arranged on opposite sides of the piston90 and the functions of which are the admission and discharge of airunder pressure, in dependence on the stage of operation of the head 22.

According to one possible embodiment, the piston 90 is connected to therods of the pistons 40 by threaded connections 98.

According to one possible embodiment, the shell 92 also comprises means100 for adjusting the stroke of the piston 90, the means 100 beingconstituted, for example, by an adjustment screw arranged in the base ofthe jacket 92.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the anti-drip means are formed by meanssuitable for bringing about a withdrawal, from the injection chamber 46,of a predetermined quantity of each component which is not yet mixed, soas to prevent drips falling from the free opening of the nozzle.

These means comprise the adjustment means 100 and the configuration ofthe end 40 a of the piston, as described below.

The position shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to the flow of the componentsfrom the respective supply circuits 26 and 28 to the injection chamber46. In fact, each component flows between the valve seats 42 and theintermediate portions 40 b of the pistons. In order to close the valvemeans 38, air is admitted under pressure from the first duct 94 andurges the piston 90 upwards, lifting the two pistons 40.

The ends 40 a of the pistons abut the respective sealing rings 88,closing the component-flow apertures. the stroke of the piston 90, andhence of the pistons 40, to continue, giving rise to sliding of thelateral walls of the end 40 a against the internal walls of the sealingrings 88. The further upward movement of the end 40 a brings about thewithdrawal of material from the injection chamber 46, thus preventingdripping.

According to one possible embodiment, the head 22 may also comprisemeans 102 for checking the wear of sealing rings 104 fitted along thesliding seats of the rods of the pistons 40.

These checking means 102 comprise, for example, an element 106 insertedin the body of the head 22 and provided with through-holes which definea portion of the sliding seat of the pistons 40. Each piston slidingseat comprises two sealing rings 104, one disposed on the actual body ofthe head 22 and the other disposed on the element 106.

The element 106 also has two ducts 108 which are put into communicationwith the exterior and which open into respective piston sliding seats,between the two sealing rings 104. If the sealing ring 104 disposedcloser to the component-flow apertures 44 wears, the component thusreturns along the sliding seat of the respective piston and emerges tothe exterior along the respective duct 108.

1. A wall and/or floor tile comprising a container element and a fillingmaterial disposed inside the container element, characterized in thatthe filling material is a polymeric material having a Shore D hardnessgreater than 50 and a setting time, at ambient temperature, of more than3 minutes.
 2. A tile according to claim 1 in which the filling materialhas a Shore D hardness of between 55 and 85 and a setting time, atambient temperature, of between 5 and 15 minutes.
 3. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the filling material has a Shore D hardness of 75 and asetting time, at ambient temperature, of 10 minutes.
 4. A tile accordingto claim 1 in which the filling material is produced from amulticomponent material, preferably a two-component material.
 5. A tileaccording to claim 4 in which the two-component material is apolyurethane.
 6. A tile according to claim 5 in which the polyurethaneis produced by reaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups ofbetween 80 and 500 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity of between 200 and 200,000cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO content of between 5 and 31%.
 7. Atile according to claim 6 in which the polyurethane is produced byreaction of a polyol having a number of OH groups of between 100 and 400mgKOH/g, preferably 120 and 250 mgKOH/g, and a viscosity of between2,000 and 10,000 cps, with an isocyanate having an NCO content ofbetween 10 and 25%.
 8. A tile according to claim 4 in which thetwo-component material is a polyurea.
 9. A tile according to claim 8 inwhich the polyurea is produced by reaction of an amine having a numberof OH groups of between 500 and 1000 mgKOH/g with an isocyanate havingan NCO content of between 5 and 15% .
 10. A tile according to claim 9 inwhich the polyurea is produced by reaction of an amine having a numberof NH₂ groups of between 600 and 800 mgKOH/g with an isocyanate havingan NCO content of between 7 and 10%.
 11. A tile according to claim 1 inwhich the container element (1) is in view.
 12. A tile according toclaim 1 in which the container element completely filled with thefilling material so that the tile has a flat surface of the fillingmaterial.
 13. A tile according to claim 1 in which the container elementis metallic.
 14. A tile according to claim 13 in which the containerelement (1) is made of stainless steel.
 15. A method of producing a tile4, the method comprising the steps of: a) introducing separately into aninjector the components which are to form the filling material. b)reacting the components of step a) only in the region of a mixerconnected to the injector, c) completely filling the container elements)with the mixture obtained in step b), and d) causing the fillingmaterial 2to set in situ inside the container elements.
 16. Apparatusfor the production of a wall and/or floor tile the apparatus comprisingat least one supply head suitable for depositing, in a container elementof a tile a multi-component, polymeric, filling material which iscapable of setting after a predetermined period of time, upon mixing ofthe multiple components, at ambient temperature, the supply headcomprising injector means provided with separate supply circuits foreach of the multiple components, and the separate supply circuitsconverging in a single nozzle for mixing the multiple components, fromwhich nozzle the filling material is supplied into the containerelement.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the at least onesupply head is suitable for supplying filling material into a containerelement.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the mixing nozzleis housed in a protective tube comprising, at one end, an opening whichcooperates with a supply opening (30a) of the nozzle and, at theopposite end, a ring nut for fixing to the body of the injector means.19. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the mixing nozzle comprisesa tubular body provided, at one end, with a supply opening and, at anopposite end, with a receptacle suitable for collecting the multiplecomponents emerging from the injector means and conveying them into amixing chamber.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which the mixingchamber comprises obstacles for facilitating contact and mixing of themultiple components forming the filling material.
 21. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 in which each of the separate supply circuits ofthe injector means is closed by valve means which bring about controlledopening and/or closure of the circuit.
 22. Apparatus according to claim21 in which the valve means comprise closure members which areconstantly urged into abutment against valve seats to close flowapertures for the multiple components of the circuits.
 23. Apparatusaccording to claim 22 in which the closure members are openedpneumatically, in controlled manner.
 24. Apparatus according to claim 21in which the injector means comprise an injection chamber suitable forconnection to the single mixing nozzle, the separate supply circuitsconverging in the chamber.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24 in whichat least one partition is provided in the injection chamber and isdisposed between outlets of the separate supply circuits in a mannersuch that each component of the filling material comes into contact withanother component only after reaching the nozzle.
 26. Apparatusaccording to claim 24 or which anti-drip means are provided and compriseseparate means for withdrawing, from the injection chamber, apredetermined quantity of each component which is not yet mixed, toprevent drips falling from the free opening of the nozzle.
 27. Apparatusaccording to claim 26 in which each of the anti-drip means comprises adiaphragm which cooperates, in a leaktight manner, through athrough-hole, with the injection chamber and, on the opposite side, witha suction duct suitable for creating a partial vacuum which, bydeforming the diaphragm draws the predetermined quantity of componentwhich is not yet mixed, from the injection chamber.
 28. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 in which a plurality of supply heads is provided.29. Apparatus according to claim 28 in which the plurality of supplyheads is connected to supply manifolds suitable for causing each of thecomponents for forming the filling material to flow separately to eachhead.
 30. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which two pluralities ofsupply heads are provided and are arranged parallel to one another and apredetermined distance apart suitable for the deposition of the fillingmaterial in two rows of container elements.
 31. Apparatus according toclaim 16 in which the at least one supply head is operatively connectedto a plurality of separate supply ducts for each of the components forforming the filling material.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 31 inwhich each of the ducts is heated.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 32in which each of the ducts is heated to a temperature of between 20° C.and 40° C., preferably to 30° C.
 34. Apparatus according to claim 16 inwhich each of the separate supply circuits is operatively connected to apump which is controlled in a manner such as to supply the componentwhich is to form the filling material to each supply head at apredetermined pressure.
 35. Apparatus according to claim 34 in whicheach separate supply circuit is supplied at a predetermined pressurewhich is independent of the other pressures.
 36. Apparatus according toclaim 34 in which the supply circuit is supplied at a pressure ofbetween 20 and 70 atmospheres, preferably between 30 and 50 atmospheres.37. Apparatus according to claim 36, in which one component is suppliedat 30 atmospheres and a second component is supplied at 50 atmospheres.38. Apparatus according to claim 34 in which the separate supplycircuits are supplied at respective pressures such that, if the variouscomponents are supplied for the same period of time, when mixed, theyform the filling material which has a Shore D hardness greater than 50and which sets at ambient temperature within a time longer than 3minutes.
 39. Apparatus according to claim 34 in which a reservoirsuitable for holding each of the components of the filling material isoperatively connected to each pump.
 40. Apparatus according to claim 39in which a stirring device is associated with each reservoir. 41.Apparatus according to claim 39 in which the reservoir is heated. 42.Apparatus according to claim 41 in which the reservoir is heated to atemperature of between 20° C. and 40° C. and preferably to 30° C. 43.Apparatus according to claim 16 in which a further store for each of thecomponents for forming the filling material is provided, operativelyconnected to the respective separate supply circuit.
 44. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 in which the at least one head is associated witha movement carriage for bringing about controlled movement thereof. 45.Apparatus according to claim 44 in which the carriage is moved incontrolled manner, longitudinally relative to a conveyor line of thecontainer elements, which are arranged in a manner suitable forreceiving the filling material when it emerges from the nozzle. 46.Apparatus according to claim 44 in which the carriage is moved incontrolled manner, transversely relative to a conveyor line of thecontainer elements.
 47. Apparatus according to claim 44 in which thecarriage is associated with sliding guides, preferably ball or rollerguides.
 48. Apparatus according to claim 44 in which the carriage isoperatively connected to actuators which are operated in controlledmanner, preferably with position and/or velocity feedback.
 49. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 in which each supply head is operatively connectedto a control unit for bringing about controlled opening of the valvemeans.
 50. Apparatus according to claim 49 in which the valve means areopened for a period of time of between 50 and 150 msec.
 51. Apparatusaccording to claim 44 in which, in addition to working operationsbrought about in controlled manner, the carriage adopts at least onerest position.
 52. Apparatus according to claim 51 in which an operativeconnection with a device for activating the discharge of material atpredetermined time intervals is provided in the rest position of thecarriage so as to prevent setting of the material which is present inthe mixing nozzle.
 53. Apparatus according to claim 44 in which thecarriage has associated sensor means for identifying the position of thecarriage relative to a grating for supporting and transporting at leastone container element, the grating being disposed on a; conveyor line ina manner such that the nozzle is positioned so as to deposit the fillingmaterial in the at least one container element.
 54. Apparatus accordingto claim 16 in which a conveyor line for at least one container elementis provided and passes through an oven suitable for accelerating thesetting of the filling material, in series with positions of cooperationwith the at least one supply head.
 55. Apparatus according to claim 16in which a conveyor line for at least one container element is providedand passes through positions in which the at least one container elementcontaining the filling material cooperates with a device for depositingbinding and reinforcing fabric on the rear of each tile.
 56. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 in which a conveyor line for at least onecontainer element is provided and passes through positions in which itcooperates with a second oven for setting the filling material. 57.Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the at least one supply headcomprises valve means having at least one piston the diameter of whichvaries along a longitudinal axis of the piston.
 58. Apparatus accordingto claim 57 in which the at least one piston is operated for opening andclosure in controlled manner by pneumatic means.
 59. Apparatus accordingto claim 58 in which means are provided for adjusting the stroke of theat least one piston and can cause the stroke of the piston for closing avalve seat to continue in order to bring about withdrawal of materialfrom an injection chamber.
 60. Apparatus according to claim 16 in whichmeans are provided for checking the wear of the sealing rings disposedalong a sliding seat of valve means.